Good Deals

I love a good deal and I also I love being able to stretch my money as far as it can go. Please understand that I purchase whatever I need or want as long as I stay within my monthly spending plan. I am fortunate to be able to do this because I do not have a lot of debt and I want to keep it that way. I try to purchase items second hand if possible or discounted. Now this is not always the case, and yes, I make exceptions to the rule sometimes!  

My new wardrobe...

I like to use the mantra of “buy used if you can...if the quality is great”. Recently my mom and I took a trip shopping to Lebanon, Tennessee. We visited a few local thrift stores because I was in need of a new Spring and Summer wardrobe. Losing weight has a few advantages! Both stores where we visited were half price because it was a special savings day, so we got lucky and got to save even more money! I found some great pieces to add to my closet! $64.39 got me 3 skirts, 3 dresses, 1 suit, 1 shorts, 2 pants, 16 shirts and 6 capri pants. If you did not count already that is 32 items! All of the items were either lightly or never used and all were name brand and fit nicely.

I also like to purchase items on clearance, with a coupon, or discounted. Yesterday, I went shopping at a local closeout store during lunch called “Kentucky Closeouts” and I got a deal! I have had my eye on a Keurig coffee maker for some time now, but I have refused to pay the high price. I knew eventually they would end up on clearance somewhere or in a yard sale, but yesterday I got lucky and found one in town! So for $25 I got a Cuisinart Single-Serve Coffee Maker which retails for $150 to $250.00. I think I got a great deal! I took a gamble because the store does not accept returns but I thought the benefit would be great if it worked because it would help support my morning coffee habit. I love that the coffee maker come with a reusable “K-cup” already. If you do not know about the Keurig coffee makers, a reusable “K-cup” is a feature that allows you to use your own coffee grounds instead of having to purchase the “K-cups” in the store.

The new addition to my kitchen...my Keurig coffee maker.
FYI I could not live without my Kitchen Aid Mixer!

With all my great deals and purchases aside here are some helpful tips & tricks and inspiration that I try to stick with when shopping:

• "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms" (1 Peter 4:10).
• Avoid places where you will be tempted to purchase items that you necessarily do not need “now”.
• For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (I Timothy 6:10)  
• Avoid going to the store period. I know I will be tempted to purchase items unnecessarily if I make multiple trips within one week, so I try to limit my trips to the store to about once a week.
• Try to have a plan before going to the store and try to stick to your list.
• Use money to help provide for your family. According to 1 Timothy 5:8 "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
• Before making a large purchase, ask yourself “Is this the best use of my money?

Good luck getting good deals on your next shopping trip!